2010-12-06

The U.S. Department of Health & Human Services will launch its Healthy People (HP) 2020 initiative in late December. The purpose of the Healthy People initiative is to identify disease prevention and health promotion objectives for the nation to achieve over the next decade. For more information about the development of the HP 2020 objectives, visit www.healthypeople.gov.

As a result of ASH representatives being a part of a federal working group made up of scientists both inside and outside of government, several of the new objectives are focused around blood disorders and blood safety. This marks the first time hematology-related objectives have ever been included in the HP process. Once released, the new objectives will play a pivotal role in guiding federal public health initiatives related to hematology and will also serve as a resource to NIH grant applicants who will eventually be required to include a public health statement on all new grant proposals.

ASH will keep members apprised of the Healthy People 2020 launch and how these measures will affect hematologists.

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